Object-Oriented Programming in C++, Fourth Edition

Chapter 11. Virtual Functions

In This Chapter

• Virtual Functions 504

• Friend Functions 520

• Static Functions 529

• Assignment and Copy Initialization 532

• The this Pointer 547

• Dynamic Type Information 553

Now that we understand something about pointers, we can delve into more advanced C++ topics. This chapter covers a rather loosely related collection of such subjects: virtual functions, friend functions, static functions, the overloaded = operator, the overloaded copy constructor, and the this pointer. These are advanced features; they are not necessary for every C++ program, especially very short ones. However, they are widely used, and are essential for most full-size programs. Virtual functions in particular are essential for polymorphism, ...